Enhance ocean lesson plans with hands-on projects.
The ocean is full of colorful creatures and is the subject of intriguing stories of adventure. A study of the ocean can lead to a study about fish and sea animals, ecosystems, the environment, climates and other valuable lessons. Not only will ocean-themed projects help kids learn more about the ocean, but memorable projects may spark interest in a child that could lead a lifetime interest or career in oceanography.
Craft Projects
Craft projects are helpful aids when teaching children about the ocean. Include crafts that encourage children to learn more about the fish that call the ocean "home." Teach young students about starfish with an easy craft. Have them cut a starfish shape out of paper, paint it grey and sprinkle salt onto it while the paint is still wet. When it dries, it will have a realistic starfish texture. Have them glue the starfish to a bulletin board or on a piece of blue construction paper for display.
Older kids will enjoy creating a CD fish craft. Help third- and fourth-grade students create sparkly fish decorations by supplying them with old CDs. Cut fish fins, lips and tail out of fun foam and attach them to the CD body. Add a google eye to each side of the CDd to create a fish. More advanced students, such as fifth and sixth graders, can sculpt fish and other sea creatures out of clay and then bake and paint them.
Science Projects
Science projects help students learn more about a topic. A hands-on approach to learning is beneficial for most types of learners. Show young students that some fish must live in warmer waters while whales and other sea animals can live deeper in the cold ocean waters. To demonstrate how warm water rises, fill a clear container with cold water. Then add some hot water that has been colored with food coloring. Blue is a good color choice, as it resembles the ocean. The warmer, colored water will rise to the top while the cold water will settle on the bottom. Older students can learn more about ocean science through exploratory studies. Supply students with a variety of sea shells, sand and rocks from the sea. Give the children magnifying glasses and ask them to draw pictures and make notes regarding their observations in a notebook. More advanced students can do research on the types of rocks and shells they examined and write up reports.
Class Projects
Get the entire class working together on ocean-themed projects. Create an oceanlike environment for a class party or just to inspire students. Turn the classroom into an underwater kingdom. Hang a long piece of butcher paper to the classroom walls. Let young children paint the paper blue and green to resemble water. Add fish, seaweed and other deep sea items. Hang blue and green crepe paper streamers from the ceiling and bring an aquarium with real fish into the room for decoration. Children will love the process of turning the classroom into an underwater paradise. When completed, have an ocean-themed party. Older students can research specific types of fish and paint them on a mural. Another way to get older children to work together to create an ocean project is to have each student research a particular type of fish and compile them into a class book. Students in fifth grade and beyond can present research findings to the class and benefit from listening to their classmates' presentations.
Other Ocean-Themed Projects
There are many other entertaining and educational ocean-themed projects for children. Help children learn about the importance of keeping the oceans and other bodies of water clean through a hands-on project. Fill a bucket or large container with water. Explain how oil can get into the waters through leaking oil tankers and other ways. Add vegetable oil to the water to demonstrate how oil and water do not mix. Finally, add some small plastic or stuffed animals to the mix. The animals will get full of oil and will be difficult to clean. Give each child a toothbrush, soap and water and ask them to clean an animal. Older students will enjoy other ocean-themed projects such as a fieldtrip to the beach, writing and acting out a ocean-themed drama or writing a book report on an ocean-themed book.
Tags: learn more, learn more about, more about, ocean-themed projects, about ocean, Older students, about fish
